Accuracy improvement in flowmeter systems

ABSTRACT

A flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/367,517, filed on Jul. 26, 2010, the disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to measuring a flow rate of a fluid flow,and more particularly, to improving an accuracy of a flowmeter system inmeasuring the flow rate of the fluid flow and a volume of the fluid flowduring a time period.

BACKGROUND

Flowmeters may measure the rate of a fluid flow in a pipe or otherpathway. The fluid flow may be, for example, a gas or a liquid, and maybe compressible or incompressible. The fluid flow can include, forexample, liquid, gas, or a combination of liquid and gas.

Flowmeters can be implemented in systems to monitor a volume of fluidflowing through a conduit. For example, a fluid separator can separate afluid mixture into a first fluid and a second fluid. Fluid separatorscan include, for example, an oil (e.g., a first fluid) and gas (e.g., asecond fluid) separator, or a water (e.g., a first fluid) and gas (e.g.,a second fluid) separator. In such implementations, a flowmeter can beused to monitor a volume of one or more of the separated fluids flowingfrom the separator. In the example case of a liquid and gas separator,one or more flowmeters can be implemented to monitor the volume ofliquid exiting the separator and/or the volume of gas exiting theseparator. However, a presence of gas in the existing liquid flow maycomplicate measuring the volume of liquid.

SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to methodsincluding receiving a signal from a flowmeter, the flowmeter beingresponsive to a fluid flow through the conduit, determining a valuebased on the signal, comparing the value to a threshold, providing aheartbeat value when the value is greater than the threshold, anddetermining a flow rate of the fluid flow based on the heartbeat value.

In some implementations, the flowmeter includes a vortex flowmeter.

In some implementations, the method further includes determining avolume of fluid flowing through the conduit based on the flow rate.

In some implementations, the threshold is indicative of a boundarybetween a liquid region and a gas region of the fluid flow.

In some implementations, the fluid flow is a composite fluid flowincluding a first fluid and a second fluid. The first fluid can includea liquid and the second fluid can include a gas.

In some implementations, the threshold is determined as a percentage ofan upper range value corresponding to an expected type of fluid flow.The expected type of fluid flow can be liquid.

In some implementations, the method further includes receiving userinput, and determining the threshold based on the user input.

In some implementations, the method further includes totalizing a volumeof the flow over a period of time to determine a total volume of fluid.Totalizing can include minimizing the volume of the flow within thetotal volume flow when the flow rate is based on the heartbeat value.

Implementations of the present disclosure are also directed to methodsincluding receiving a signal from a flowmeter, the flowmeter beingresponsive to a fluid flow, determining a value based on the signal,comparing the value to a threshold, providing a heartbeat value when thevalue is greater than the threshold, monitoring the heartbeat value, andselectively generating an alarm based on the monitoring.

In some implementations, monitoring the heartbeat value includesdetermining an amount of time the value is greater than the threshold,and comparing the amount of time to a time threshold, wherein the alarmis generated when the amount of time exceeds the time threshold.

In some implementations, monitoring the heartbeat value includesdetermining that the value is less than the threshold, and incrementingan amount of time when the value is less than the threshold. Monitoringthe heartbeat value can further include determining that the amount oftime is greater than a time threshold, and generating the alarm inresponse to determining that the amount of time is greater than a timethreshold.

In some implementations, the flowmeter comprises a vortex flowmeter.

In some implementations, the threshold is indicative of a boundarybetween a liquid region and a gas region of the fluid flow.

In some implementations, the fluid flow is a composite fluid flowcomprising a first fluid and a second fluid. The first fluid can be aliquid and the second fluid can be a gas.

In some implementations, the threshold is determined as a percentage ofan upper range value corresponding to an expected type of fluid flow.The expected type of fluid flow can be liquid.

In some implementations, the method further includes receiving userinput, and determining the threshold based on the user input.

The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage mediumcoupled to one or more processors and having instructions stored thereonwhich, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one ormore processors to perform operations in accordance with implementationsof the methods provided herein.

The present disclosure further provides a system for implementing themethods provided herein. In some implementations, the system includes aflowmeter, one or more processors in communication with the flowmeter,and a computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or moreprocessors having instructions stored thereon which, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to performoperations in accordance with implementations of the methods providedherein.

It is appreciated that methods in accordance with the present disclosurecan include any combination of the aspects and features describedherein. That is to say that methods in accordance with the presentdisclosure are not limited to the combinations of aspects and featuresspecifically described herein, but also include any combination of theaspects and features provided.

The details of one or more implementations of the present disclosure areset forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an implementation of a flowmetersystem.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a relationship between an output of aflowmeter and a flow rate of a fluid flow.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an example implementation for adjustingan output of a flowmeter system in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for monitoring aflow rate of a fluid flow through a conduit in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a fluid separator system 100 is schematicallyillustrated. The fluid separator system 100 includes a fluid separator102, an exhaust conduit 104, a flowmeter 106, and a processing unit 108.Although, in the example illustration of FIG. 1, the flowmeter 106 andthe processing unit 108 are provided as separate components,implementations of the present disclosure include the flowmeter 106 andthe processing unit 108 as a single, integrated component. Theprocessing unit 108 can include one or more processors 108 a and acomputer-readable storage medium 108 b coupled to the one or moreprocessors 108 a. The computer-readable storage medium 108 b can haveinstructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations inaccordance with implementations of the present disclosure. Thecomputer-readable storage medium 108 b can also store data collectedfrom the flowmeter 106, such that the data can be accessed and processed(e.g., using the one or more processors 108 a) to monitor the fluidseparator system 100.

The fluid separator 102 receives a flow of a composite fluid from aninlet conduit 110. In some implementations, the flowmeter 106 isprovided as a vortex-type flowmeter, discussed in further detail below.In some implementations, the flowmeter 106 is a turbine-type flowmeteror a orifice plate and differential pressure transmitter. The compositefluid includes a composition of different types of fluids, such as gasand liquid. The fluid separator 102 separates the composite fluid intoindividual flows of fluid for each type of fluid of the composite fluid.One of the separated fluids (e.g., liquid) is exhausted from the fluidseparator 102 through the exhaust conduit 104. Remaining separatedfluid(s) by the fluid separator 102 may be exhausted through otherexhaust conduits. For example, a gas may be exhausted through an exhaustconduit 109.

The flowmeter 106 extends into the exhaust conduit 104, and isresponsive to the fluid flowing therethrough. As the separated fluidexhausts from the fluid separator 102 and flows by the flowmeter 106,the flowmeter 106 generates a flowmeter signal 112 in response to thefluid flow. The flowmeter signal 112 is representative of a response ofthe flowmeter and is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid flow.The type of signal output by the flowmeter 106 is dependent upon theflowmeter 106 type. That is, different types of flowmeters 106 canoutput different signal. In some implementations, the signal can includea pulse signal measured in frequency (i.e., Hertz (Hz)). In someimplementations, the signal can include a current signal (i.e., Amps(A), or milliamps (mA)) or via a digital protocol (e.g., HART, FieldBus,Modbus, Wireless, etc).

The flowmeter 106 outputs the flowmeter signal 112 to the processingunit 108. The processing unit 108 processes the flowmeter signal 112 anddetermines a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the exhaust conduit104 based on the flowmeter signal 112. In some implementations, theprocessing unit 108 further determines a volume of fluid in exhaustconduit 104 over a given amount of time based on the flow rate of thefluid flow. In this manner, the processing unit 108 can totalize thevolume of fluid that has been exhausted from the fluid separator 102.The processing unit 108 generates an output signal 114 representative ofthe calculated volume of the fluid exhausted from the fluid separator102. In some implementations, the processing unit 108 can also outputthe flow rate of the fluid (e.g., to a display). In someimplementations, the flowmeter signal 112 is representative of the flowrate and the volume of the fluid flow. Specifically, the flowmeter 106may include a signal processing module that processes the data collectedby the flowmeter 106 responsive to the fluid flow passing the flowmeter106, and that determines the flow rate and the volume of the fluid flowthrough exhaust conduit 104.

The fluid separator system 100 can also include a valve 130 and a valve132. The valve 130 is operable to regulate the flow of fluid into thefluid separator 102. The valve 130 can be manually operated or can beelectro-mechanically operated based on a signal received from acontroller. In a fully-closed position, the valve 130 prohibits fluidflow into the fluid separator 102. In a fully-open position, the valve130 enables fluid flow into the fluid separator 102 at a maximum flowrate. In some implementations, the valve 130 can be actuated between thefully-closed position and the fully-open position to regulate the fluidflow rate between zero and the maximum flow rate.

The valve 132 is operable to regulate the flow of fluid from the fluidseparator 102 and into the exhaust conduit 104. In some implementations,the valve 132 can be provided as a float-type valve. For example, whenthere is liquid within the fluid separator 102, the valve 132 may be inan open, or at least partially open position, enabling fluid flow fromthe fluid separator 102 into the exhaust conduit 104. As the liquidexhausts from the fluid separator 102, the valve 132 correspondinglymoves toward a closed position. When the liquid has been completely, orat least sufficiently, exhausted from the fluid separator 102, the valve132 is, or should be, closed, such that no other fluids (e.g., gas) areexhausted from into the exhaust conduit 104.

In some implementations, the fluid exhausted from the fluid separator102 into the exhaust conduit 104 is a composite fluid including twodifferent fluids (e.g. a gas and a liquid). When the fluid is acomposite fluid, the processing unit 108 may determine the flow rate andthe volume for each fluid and/or the processing unit 108 may determinethe flow rate and the volume of the composite fluid. Further, theprocessing unit 108 may determine, based on the flowmeter signal 112, atime that each differing fluid type enters or exits the exhaust conduit104.

By way of a non-limiting example, the fluid separator system 100 will befurther discussed in the context of the flowmeter 106 including avortex-type flowmeter. The vortex-type flowmeter 106 includes a signalprocessing module 116, a shedder 118, and a pressure sensor 120. Theshedder 118 extends into the exhaust conduit 104 and functions as avortex creating obstruction element. As fluid passes the flowmeter 106,and specifically the shedder 118, disturbances or vortices in the fluidflow are generated, which trail behind the shedder 118 with respect tothe direction of the fluid flow of the fluid. The rate at which thevortices are created in the fluid flow behind the shedder 118 areproportional to the flow rate of the fluid flow. Example shedders aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,220,046 and 6,615,673, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The vortices created behind the shedder 118 generate variations inpressure in the fluid flow. The pressure sensor 120 is responsive to thepressure variations and is able to detect such pressure variations. Thepressure sensor 120 transmits a signal 122 to the signal processingmodule 116 based on the detected variations in pressure. In someimplementations, the signal 122 is based on a quantity of variations inpressure detected. In response to the signal 122, the signal processingmodule 116 generates pulses and transmits the flowmeter signal 112corresponding to the pulses to the processing unit 108. In someimplementations, the pulses of the flowmeter signal 112 are of adifferent frequency rate than that of the signal 122.

The processing unit 108 processes the flowmeter signal 112 to determinethe flow rate and/or the volume of fluid exhausted from the fluidseparator 102. Specifically, respective frequencies of the generatedpulses of the output signal 112 are proportional to the flow rate of thefluid flow. The processing unit 108 converts the frequency to fluid flowrate signals and determines the volume of fluid in exhaust conduit 104based on the flow rate signals over a given period of time. The volumeof fluid exhausted through the exhaust conduit 104 can be determined asa product of the flow rate of the fluid flow and the period of time. Insome implementations, the flowmeter signal 112 includes the fluid flowrate signal. In this case, the flowmeter 106 converts the frequencyestimates to fluid flow rate and provides the flow rate to theprocessing unit 108.

Referring to FIG. 2, a graph 200 illustrates a relationship between theoutput of the flowmeter 106 and the flow rate of the fluid flow. In thegraph 200, the flow rate is provided along a horizontal axis 202. Theflow rate can be provided in units of volume per time (e.g., gallons perminute (gpm)). As discussed above, the flowmeter 106 is responsive tothe fluid flow through the exhaust conduit 104 and generates theflowmeter signal 112 based thereon. In some implementations, theflowmeter signal 112 can include a current signal (e.g., measured inmilliamperes (mA)). In the graph 200, a current output (mA) is providedalong a first vertical axis 204. The current output can range between aminimum current output (e.g., 4 mA) and a maximum current output(i_(MAX)) (e.g. 20 mA). In some implementations, the flowmeter signal112 can include a pulse output (e.g., measured in hertz (Hz)). In thegraph 200, the pulse output (Hz) is provided along a second verticalaxis 206. The pulse output can range between a minimum pulse output(e.g., 0 Hz) and a maximum pulse output (f_(MAX)).

A curve 208 describes the relationship between the pulse output (orcurrent output) of the flowmeter 106 and the flow rate of the fluid flowpassing the flowmeter 106. Each point on the curve 208 representing thepulse output (or the current output) of the flowmeter signal 112corresponds to a flow rate of the fluid flow. As the pulse output (orthe current output) of the flowmeter signal 112 increases or decreases,a corresponding increase or decrease in the flow rate of the fluid flowis indicated. In the example implementation of FIG. 2, the curve 208 issubstantially linear indicating a substantially linear relationshipbetween the pulse output (or the current output) of the flowmeter signal112 and the flow rate of the fluid flow. In some implementations, thecurve 208 is any type of curve (e.g. geometric, parabolic, exponential,etc.). Consequently, the pulse output (or the current output) of theflowmeter signal 112 and the flow rate may have any type of pre-definedrelationship.

The example curve 208 of FIG. 2 includes a low flow cut in (LFCI) thatindicates a shift in the relationship between the pulse output (or thesignal output) and the flow rate. The LFCI is a threshold of anoperating range of the flowmeter 106 and is set by a user and/ormanufacturer of the flowmeter 106 based on a density of the flow. TheLFCI defines a forced-zero of the pulse output (or the current output).In short, a minimal fluid flow through the exhaust conduit 104 resultsin a corresponding minimal pulse output. Consequently, the pulse outputis forced to zero (and the current output is forced to a minimum value),such that the flow rate is effectively deemed to be zero (e.g., 0 gpm).The curve 208 is bound at an upper limit by an upper range value (URV)of the fluid flow. The URV is established as the maximum expected flowrate of the fluid flow and/or a maximum signal output of the flowmeter106.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the volume of fluid flowing through theexhaust conduit 104 is monitored. In some implementations, the fluidexhausted from the fluid separator 102 through the exhaust conduit 104is expected to include liquid. However, in some instances, the fluidexhausted from the fluid separator 102 may include a composite fluid,such as a liquid and gas mixture. This can occur, for example, as aconsequence of a gas surge. In such instances, the flowmeter 106 isresponsive to both the liquid and the gas in the fluid flow, which maylead to difficulties in the processing unit 108 determining an accurateliquid volume total. Specifically, when the processing unit 108determines the volume of the fluid flow in the exhaust conduit 104, theprocessing unit 108 may be unable to naturally differentiate between thevolume of the gas and the volume of the liquid in the fluid flow. Thatis, during a gas surge, the volume of the liquid is misrepresented bythe addition of the volume of the gas.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the fluid separator system100 may compensate for the gas surge in the fluid flow such that anaccurate liquid total of the fluid flow is obtained. Moreover, the gassurge exhausted from the fluid separator 102 may be indicative of afailure of the fluid separator system 100, e.g., a valve (not shown)being in an continued open position, a failure of the fluid separator102, or the like. Consequently, and in accordance with the presentdisclosure, the fluid separator system 100 may generate an alarm inresponse to a prolonged gas surge, as described further below.

Referring to FIG. 3, a graph 300 illustrates an example modifiedrelationship between the pulse output of the flowmeter signal 112 andthe flow rate to account for a gas surge in the fluid flow. In the graph300, the flow rate is provided along a horizontal axis 302. As discussedabove, the flowmeter 106 is responsive to the fluid flow through theexhaust conduit 104 and generates the flowmeter signal 112 basedthereon. The flowmeter signal 112 includes the pulse output (e.g.,measured in hertz (Hz)). In the graph 300, the pulse output (Hz) isprovided along a vertical axis 304. The pulse output can range between aminimum pulse output (e.g., 0 Hz) and a maximum pulse output (f_(MAX)).Although a pulse output is provided in the illustrated implementation,the principles of the present disclosure are applicable to a currentoutput from the flowmeter 106 and other protocols.

The flow rate can be indicative of one of three regions including acutoff region 306, a water region 308, and a gas region 310. The waterregion 308 and the gas region 310 overlap forming a water/gas overlapregion 312. The cutoff region 306 is defined as the region where theflow rate of the fluid flow in the exhaust conduit 104 is between zeroand the LFCI, as discussed above with respect to graph 200 of FIG. 2.The water region 308 is defined as the region where the fluid flow rateof the fluid in the exhaust conduit 104 is between the LFCI and a waterupper range limit (URL). Flow rates in the water region 308 areindicative of the expected range of flow rates for a liquid (e.g.,water). The water URL is a maximum allowed flow rate of the fluid flowfor the exhaust conduit 104. In some implementations, the fluid flow forthe exhaust conduit is based on one or more factors including, forexample, a density of the fluid (e.g. water). The gas region 310 isindicative of the expected range of flow rates of gas. The gas URL issimilar to that of the water URL. The water URV is set by the userand/or manufacturer of the flowmeter system 100 corresponding to adesired pulse output and flow rate of the fluid flow in the exhaustconduit 104.

An example curve 314 defines the relationship between the pulse outputof the flowmeter signal 112 and the flow rate of the fluid flow withinthe exhaust conduit 104. The curve 314 includes a plurality ofthresholds. The first threshold is provided as the LFCI, as discussedabove with reference to the graph 200 and FIG. 2. For a pulse output ofthe flowmeter signal 112 less than the LFCI, the processing unit 108sets the flow rate of the output signal 114 to a cut-in value (e.g.,zero). The second threshold is a high rate cut off (HRCO). The HRCOindicates a gas surge condition. More specifically, when the pulseoutput is at or above the HRCO, the fluid flow is deemed to be only gas.In some implementations, the HRCO can be determined to be a pre-definedpercentage of the water URV. In an example implementation, the HRCO is110% of the water URV. In some implementations, the HRCO can be set by auser of the fluid separator system 100. Specifically, user input isreceived by the processing unit 108 and the processing unit 108 sets theHRCO based on the user input.

In the event of a gas surge, the volume of the gas surge is compensatedfor by the fluid separator system 100. Specifically, for a pulse outputgreater than the HRCO, the processing unit 108 reduces the pulse outputto a heartbeat pulse 316. The heartbeat pulse 316 is used to determinethe flowrate of the fluid flow. In some implementations, the heartbeatpulse 316 is provided as a low frequency pulse that is a percentagelower than the LFCI. In an example implementation, the heartbeat pulse316 is set to be 50% of the LFCI. In some implementations, the heartbeatpulse 316 is set by the user of the fluid separator system 100.Specifically, user input is received by the processing unit 108 and theprocessing unit 108 sets the heartbeat pulse based on the user input.The flow rate corresponding to the frequency associated with theheartbeat pulse 316 is substantially less than the flow rate that wouldbe otherwise calculated based on the unmodified pulse output of theflowmeter signal 112.

The flow rate determined based on the heartbeat pulse 316 can be used tototalize a volume of gas flow through the exhaust conduit 104 and/or thevolume of the liquid flow through the exhaust conduit 104. By employingthe flow rate corresponding to the frequency associated with theheartbeat pulse 316, the processing unit 108 substantially does notinclude the volume of the gas surge that is present within the fluidflow of the exhaust conduit 104 giving a more precise liquid total forthe fluid flow. Specifically, when totalizing the volume of liquidwithin the exhaust conduit 104, the volume of the gas surgecorresponding to the flow rate represented by the heartbeat signal 316that is added to the volume of the liquid is minimized. For a pulseoutput of the curve 314 between the LFCI and the HRCO, the processingunit 108 uses unmodified output signal 114 to correspond to the pulseoutput of the flowmeter signal 112.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart illustrates an example process 400 formonitoring a fluid flow through the exhaust conduit 104. The process 400can be executed using components of the fluid separator system 100 ofFIG. 1, for example. A timer (t) is initialized to zero (402). Forexample, the processing unit 108 can initialize the time to zero. Thetimer can indicate a time the fluid flow through the exhaust conduit 104is within the gas region (e.g., the gas region 310 of FIG. 3). Theflowmeter signal 112 is generated (404). For example, the flowmeter 106generates the flowmeter signal 112 responsive to the fluid flow. Asdiscussed above, the flowmeter signal 112 can include a frequencyoutput, a current output, or digital protocols. A value (v) isdetermined based on the flowmeter signal (406). In some implementations,the value (v) corresponds to a frequency output of the flowmeter signal112. In some implementations, the value (v) corresponds to a currentoutput of the flowmeter signal 112.

The value (v) is compared to the LFCI (408). When the value (v) is lessthan the LFCI, the value is modified to provide a modified value(v_(MOD)) (410). For example, the processing unit 108 can modify thevalue (v) to provide the modified value (v_(MOD)). The flow rate isdetermined based on the modified value (v_(MOD)) (412). For example, theprocessing unit 108 determines the flow rate (r_(flow)) based on themodified value (v_(MOD)). The volume of fluid flowing past the flowmeteris updated based on the flow rate (r_(flow)) (414), and the processends.

When the value (v) is greater than the LFCI (408), the value (v) iscompared to the HRCO (415). When the value (v) is not greater than theHRCO, the flow rate (r_(flow)) is determined based on the value (v)(416). The volume of the fluid flow is updated based on the flow rate(r_(flow)) (417), and the process ends. When the value (v) is greaterthan the HRCO, the fluid flowing past the flowmeter is indicated asbeing in the gas region (418).

The value (v) is modified to a heartbeat value (v_(HBT)) (420). The flowrate (r_(flow)) is determined based on the heartbeat value (v_(HBT))(424). The volume of the fluid flow is updated based on the flow rate(r_(flow)) (426). The timer (t) is compared with a time threshold(t_(THR)) (428). When the timer (t) is less than the time threshold(t_(THR)), the timer (t) is incremented (430), and the process continues(404). When the timer (t) is greater than the time threshold (t_(THR)),an alarm signal is generated (432), and the process ends. The timethreshold is user definable dependent upon the application desired.

The alarm signal indicates that the fluid flow is in the gas region foran extended amount of time. The alarm signal notifies a user of theflowmeter separator system 100 of this condition such that correctiveactions may be taken, if desired. The alarm signal can indicate afailure within the fluid separator system 100. For example, the alarmsignal can indicate that a valve, such as the valve 132 of FIG. 1, isstuck in an open position. In this manner, an operator is alerted thatthe valve 132 is stuck in an open position and that corrective actionshould be taken. Example corrective action can include regulating thevalve 130 to the closed position to inhibit fluid flow into the fluidseparator 102, and/or fixing or replacing the valve 132.

A number of implementations of the present disclosure have beendescribed. Nevertheless, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are withinthe scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a signal from aflowmeter, the flowmeter being responsive to a fluid flow through theconduit; determining a value based on the signal; comparing the value toa threshold; providing a heartbeat value when the value is greater thanthe threshold; and determining a flow rate of the fluid flow based onthe heartbeat value; wherein the threshold is indicative of a boundarybetween a liquid region and a gas region of the fluid flow.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the flowmeter comprises a vortex flowmeter.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a volume offluid flowing through the conduit based on the flow rate.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the fluid flow is a composite fluid flow comprisinga first fluid and a second fluid.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thefirst fluid is a liquid and the second fluid is a gas.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the threshold is determined as a percentage of an upperrange value corresponding to an expected type of fluid flow.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the expected type of fluid flow is liquid. 8.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving user input; anddetermining the threshold based on the user input.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising totalizing a volume of the flow over aperiod of time to determine a total volume of fluid.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein totalizing further comprises minimizing the volume ofthe flow within the total volume flow when the flow rate is based on theheartbeat value.
 11. A system, comprising: a flowmeter; one or moreprocessors in communication with the flowmeter; and a computer-readablestorage medium coupled to the one or more processors having instructionsstored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform operations, comprising: receivinga signal from a flowmeter, the flowmeter being responsive to a fluidflow through the conduit; determining a value based on the signal;comparing the value to a threshold; providing a heartbeat value when thevalue is greater than the threshold; and determining a flow rate of thefluid flow based on the heartbeat value; wherein the threshold isindicative of a boundary between a liquid region and a gas region of thefluid flow.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the flowmeter comprisesa vortex flowmeter.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining a volume of fluid flowing through theconduit based on the flow rate.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein thefluid flow is a composite fluid flow comprising a first fluid and asecond fluid.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first fluid is aliquid and the second fluid is a gas.
 16. The system of claim 11,wherein the threshold is determined as a percentage of an upper rangevalue corresponding to an expected type of fluid flow.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the expected type of fluid flow is liquid.
 18. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: receivinguser input; and determining the threshold based on the user input. 19.The system of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprisetotalizing a volume of the flow over a period of time to determine atotal volume of fluid.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein totalizingfurther comprises minimizing the volume of the flow within the totalvolume flow when the flow rate is based on the heartbeat value.
 21. Amethod, comprising: receiving a signal from a flowmeter, the flowmeterbeing responsive to a fluid flow; determining a value based on thesignal; comparing the value to a threshold; providing a heartbeat valuewhen the value is greater than the threshold; monitoring the heartbeatvalue; and selectively generating an alarm based on the monitoring;wherein the threshold is indicative of a boundary between a liquidregion and a gas region of the fluid flow.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein monitoring the heartbeat value comprises: determining an amountof time the value is greater than the threshold; and comparing theamount of time to a time threshold, wherein the alarm is generated whenthe amount of time is greater than the time threshold.
 23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the flowmeter comprises a vortex flowmeter.
 24. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the fluid flow is a composite fluid flowcomprising a first fluid and a second fluid.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein the first fluid is a liquid and the second fluid is a gas. 26.The method of claim 21, wherein the threshold is determined as apercentage of an upper range value corresponding to an expected type offluid flow.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the expected type offluid flow is liquid.
 28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:receiving user input; and determining the threshold based on the userinput.
 29. A system, comprising: a flowmeter; one or more processors incommunication with the flowmeter; and a computer-readable storage mediumcoupled to the one or more processors having instructions stored thereonwhich, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one ormore processors to perform operations, comprising: receiving a signalfrom a flowmeter, the flowmeter being responsive to a fluid flow;determining a value based on the signal; comparing the value to athreshold; providing a heartbeat value when the value is greater thanthe threshold; monitoring the heartbeat value; and selectivelygenerating an alarm based on the monitoring wherein the threshold isindicative of a boundary between a liquid region and a gas region of thefluid flow.
 30. The system of claim 29, wherein monitoring the heartbeatvalue comprises: determining an amount of time the value is greater thanthe threshold; and comparing the amount of time to a time threshold,wherein the alarm is generated when the amount of time is greater thanthe time threshold.
 31. The system of claim 29, wherein the flowmetercomprises a vortex flowmeter.
 32. The system of claim 29, wherein thefluid flow is a composite fluid flow comprising a first fluid and asecond fluid.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the first fluid is aliquid and the second fluid is a gas.
 34. The system of claim 29,wherein the threshold is determined as a percentage of an upper rangevalue corresponding to an expected type of fluid flow.
 35. The system ofclaim 34, wherein the expected type of fluid flow is liquid.
 36. Thesystem of claim 29, wherein the operations further comprise: receivinguser input; and determining the threshold based on the user input.